Thread: Russian Presidential Elections 2012: Commentary in Russian and English

Originally Posted by xdns

I think that the results would have been more unpredictable if, for example, the communists were represented by Sergei Udaltsov (his photo on Wikipedia is full of revolutionary romanticism ; BTW, he is a great grandson of famous Bolshevik, member of RSDLP since 1905), Grigory Yavlinsky was not declared ineligible to participate in the elections, and there was Alexey Navalny running. But I think Putin would have won this time even in this case - just not so gloriously - because he is really popular.

The thing I hate most of all is the increase in the duration of a presidential term from now on.
I want to elect new president every 4, or maybe 5 years - but definitely not 6! In my opinion, it's too long...

If you remove the red flags, Sergei Udaltsov in his Wiki photo looks like a skinhead looking for an immigrant to beat up.. I would never have guessed he was a communist....

About the 6 years.. It is certainly longer than standard. I have 3 comments

1) Am I right to guess that 2 x 6 years will take Putin right up to his retirement?

2) 6 years is at least 2 years longer than the European standard. Germany has 4 years, to mention another large country. The UK has a maximum of 5 years, but usually it's shorter. They are not a god example to follow for increasing democracy though. France or Germany are better.

3) A longer period COULD be good if Edinaya Rossia really has some solid good plans that would take a while to implement and come to fruition. Efter 6 years they cannot use any excuses for failures etc. Either they have some successes to point to, or they have not...

Originally Posted by Hanna

If you remove the red flags, Sergei Udaltsov in his Wiki photo looks like a skinhead looking for an immigrant to beat up.. I would never have guessed he was a communist....

:LMAO: How true. He has manners of a skinhead too, by the way.

1) Am I right to guess that 2 x 6 years will take Putin right up to his retirement?

That depends on whether he would want to stay for the second (fourth ) term.

2) 6 years is at least 2 years longer than the European standard. Germany has 4 years, to mention another large country. The UK has a maximum of 5 years, but usually it's shorter. They are not a god example to follow for increasing democracy though. France or Germany are better.

As far as I know (I cold be mistaken and I'm too lazy to google it out), but France had 7 years for 1 presidental term, no?

3) A longer period COULD be good if Edinaya Rossia really has some solid good plans that would take a while to implement and come to fruition. Efter 6 years they cannot use any excuses for failures etc. Either they have some successes to point to, or they have not...

United Russia will soon be disbanded/reorganized/reformed. I doubt they will last till 2013. The 'purge' is coming. It failed in December, even though they'd won, they failed nevertheless and I doubt there are still enough reasons to justify their existence. There will be a brand new party... and I think Prokhorov will play a major role in this.

Originally Posted by Ramil

As far as I know (I cold be mistaken and I'm too lazy to google it out), but France had 7 years for 1 presidental term, no?

I am too lazy too.. it wasn't obvious from the Wiki entry. But I really don't think so. They always have elections there.... Possibly it's elections for different things...?
French elections are covered quite extensively in the British press, that's why I know about this. And when they are not feuding it out for an election, someone is organising a kickass strike that literally shuts down the whole country. Politics in France is really interesting. I am almost certain that elections are more often than 7 years. Does anyone else know?

United Russia will soon be disbanded/reorganized/reformed. I doubt they will last till 2013. The 'purge' is coming. It failed in December, even though they'd won, they failed nevertheless and I doubt there are still enough reasons to justify their existence. There will be a brand new party... and I think Prokhorov will play a major role in this.

What makes you think that?

Would Putin really allow that to happen? If he could not stop it, what do you think he would do?
I mean, he would officially be president, representing that party, right?

Is this a common opinion?

Originally Posted by Hanna

What makes you think that?

Would Putin really allow that to happen? If he could not stop it, what do you think he would do?

Originally Posted by Marcus

+1
How did they fail?

It will be Putin who will make it happen. Shortly before the Duma elections Putin officially made it very clear that he and United Russia are not even related.
United Russia is like that old relative which has a very scandalous public reputation but you have to stamd by and wear that stupid smile to cover the awkward moment. As soon as he gets the chance I think Putin would completely severe all connections with the UR and disband the whole thing. Some key figures will migrate into a new political formation but the rest will be sent home.

Originally Posted by Hanna

I mean, he would officially be president, representing that party, right?

Yes, he is officially a leader of that party (without being its member) but he's not very happy about it, not to mention that many party members have actually betrayed him and supported ВалюТанюТолю (tm) instead. Quite a few members of the United Russia are secretly or not so secretly oppose him.
Why does he need such a party? It served its purpose, now it's a burden he would like to throw off.
That's why he created the All-Russia People's Front last year. He did that because he wasn't so sure in United Russia anymore.

Originally Posted by Hanna

Is this a common opinion?

Not quite common, you might even say that it's just me

What makes you think that?

Would Putin really allow that to happen? If he could not stop it, what do you think he would do?
I mean, he would officially be president, representing that party, right?

Is this a common opinion?

+1
How did they fail?

France had 7 years for 1 presidental term, no?

5 years.

That depends on whether he would want to stay for the second (fourth ) term.

It doesn't. He can take another post, prime-ministre for example.